Disposable implement inserted into an endoscope

ABSTRACT

A disposable implement insertable into an endoscope and comprising at least one zone geometrically matched/adapted to the endoscope is characterized in that the geometrically matched/adapted zone is designed to be permanently deformed on account of having been used a first time by the inevitable mechanical, thermal and/or chemical handling it undergoes in the endoscope, and before renewed use in the endoscope, and in that said geometric matching shall be eliminated.

[0001] Disposable implements of this species are designed for single use in endoscopes. Illustratively they are electrodes, knife blades, milling elements, drill bits or tongs among many others.

[0002] Disposable implements may be inserted in different ways into the endoscopes. In general they are geometrically matched or adapted to the endoscope or they conform at least in part to the geometry of the endoscope.

[0003] Illustratively the endoscopes may exhibit an operational duct admitting the insertion of the disposable implements—which as a rule comprise an elongated stem. The conventional disposable implement's stem for instance comprises at least one geometrically or shape-matched zone which is so fitted to the operational duct's diameter as to allow insertion without vexatious play. In general the stem is matched to the shape of the duct over its full length.

[0004] The disposable implements may be geometrically adapted or shaped further for instance in a connection zone. Illustratively it is known to use a spring element at the proximal end of electrode supports, said element after being inserted into the slider resiliently engaging the rear of an edge thereof and locking the electrode support in the slider. Conventionally the implement or the slider is fitted with unlocking means allowing removal.

[0005] For the sake of patient safety, disposable implements of this species should be used only once and then be destroyed.

[0006] The objective of the present invention is to so further develop disposable implements of the above species that they shall preclude erroneously re-using them.

[0007] This problem is solved by a disposable implement comprising the features of claim 1.

[0008] Accordingly, in the invention, at least one geometrically adapted or shape-matched zone of the implement is made to be irreversibly deformable. Said zone is selected in a way that it is deformed by the mechanical, thermal and/or chemical treatment perforce required before the implement might be used again in such a way that the initially geometric adaptation or shape-matching between the disposable implement and the endoscope shall be eliminated.

[0009] The “perforce required treatment” above comprises all actions required in conventional medical procedures to prepare a used implement for renewed use on another patient. In general such an action requires separating the disposable implement from the endoscope. Among other mandatory actions, this step must be followed by cleaning and sterilization.

[0010] For instance a disposable implement of the present invention may be fitted with a geometrically or shape-matched stem zone which undergoes a change in diameter in the course of thermal sterilization in such a way that the stem no longer can be inserted into an operation endoscope duct or only against a more substantial resistance.

[0011] Conceivably as well, an element used to lock a disposable implement in the endoscope also shall be bent or otherwise deformed when retrieved from it, whereby renewed locking shall be impossible or only with substantial difficulty. Illustratively as regards the initially cited locking of an electrode support, a spring element might be mounted on this support and the means present conventionally at the slider no longer would be able to unlock said element, or the release means might be omitted.

[0012] Many further designs are feasible, some of which shall be elucidated below.

[0013] The dependent claims contain further advantageous embodiments.

[0014] In claim 2 for instance, the deformation of the geometrically or shape-matching zone is clearly visible. Conceivably and as claimed in claim 3, a clearly visible change in diameter of the geometric adaptation has taken place subsequent for instance to swelling due to exposure to superheated steam, or otherwise that a straight disposable implement shall be bent, etc. It is an easy matter for the expert to select appropriate materials which for instance in the presence of superheated steam or during dry sterilization undergo the desired deformation.

[0015] In both instances re-insertion of the disposable implement into an endoscope at least was made difficult. Moreover it is indicated in a clearly visible manner that a disposable implement not intended for a re-use has been sterilized.

[0016] Claim 4 offers another advantageous design, namely in that the disposable implement when being removed from the endoscope undergoes a permanent change in its geometrically adapted zone. This feature already was discussed above.

[0017] As regards the invention, it is important that its implements be designed in a manner that their basic operation remain feasible without jeopardizing safety even after the geometrically adapted zone was deformed. In other words, the deformation of said geometrically matched zone does not affect essential procedures or functions and in particular parts of said disposable implement cannot be loosened and possibly drop off. The changes that do occur shall only assure that a surgeon—at the latest when reinserting the implement into the endoscope—shall become aware, on account of the increased resistance or difficulties of locking the implement being inserted into the endoscope, that such a disposable implement is about to be used again. If the implement allows being inserted/locked a second time, then its operability shall be assured also during this second surgery. The invention is elucidated below in relation to several drawings.

[0018]FIG. 1 shows the zone whereby an electrode support is locked to an endoscope slider,

[0019]FIG. 1a shows the corresponding zone of the electrode support after it has been retracted from the slider,

[0020]FIG. 2 shows a disposable implement insertable into an endoscope's operational duct during a first use,

[0021]FIG. 2a shows an embodiment of an implement of FIG. 2 subsequent to deformation, and

[0022]FIG. 2b shows another embodiment of an implement of FIG. 2 subsequent to deformation.

[0023]FIG. 1 is a partial view of a resectoscope 10 with apposed electrode support 11. An electrode 12 is received in the electrode support 11 and is affixed by means of a proximal, geometrically adapted zone 13 in a clearance 14 of a slider 15 which displaceably rests on the resectoscope 10. The slider 15 may be displaced by means of a grip 16 in the longitudinal resectoscope direction.

[0024] The geometrically adapted or shape-matched zone 13 of the electrode 12 is fitted with a resilient element 17 which, subsequently to the electrode's 12 insertion, elastically spreads out by its proximal end into the clearance 14 in order to be locking against an edge 18. When the electrode 12 is pulled out of the clearance 14, the resilient element 17 is bent into the opposite direction and it shall retain this bent condition. Said condition is shown in FIG. 1a. FIG. 1a shows that repeated insertion of the electrode 12 into the clearance 14 shall be difficult. At a minimum the resilient element would have to be bent back into its original direction. Upon this attempted displacement, the surgeon would notice that the implement already had been used.

[0025]FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the present invention. It illustrates an arbitrary endoscope 20 comprising an operational duct 21.

[0026] In the state shown in FIG. 2, a stem 23 of a disposable implement is being inserted into the operational duct 21 of the endoscope 20, said implement being fitted with a zone 24 matching the shape of the operational duct 21.

[0027] Now this zone 24 is made of a special material which illustratively shall swell upon being exposed to heat or it shall change in some other way. FIG. 2a illustrates one possible state of this zone 24 for instance subsequently to a sterilizing procedure. It is clear that the zone 24 has swollen so much that it can no longer be inserted, or only with substantial difficulty, into the operational duct 21.

[0028]FIG. 2b shows another embodiment wherein the zone 24 exhibits a bend, for instance following a sterilizing procedure, so that re-insertion again shall be difficult.

[0029] The above shown embodiments are intended to represent the invention merely in an exemplary manner. Other designs also are feasible, whereby for instance a template or a passageway of given peripheral or cross-sectional shape is predetermined to receive the disposable implement.

[0030] Due to applying heat or another treatment, the result of a first use of said implement is that a correspondingly geometrically adapted or shape-matched zone of the disposable implement shall be changed in a manner that it can no longer traverse the template or the passageway.

[0031] As shown above, most diverse designs are available to implement the present invention.

[0032] The expression “geometrically adapted or shape-matched zone” applies widely. It is meant to cover any disposable implement zone which may be deformed on account of a treatment, for instance when retracting the disposable implement from the endoscope or when mandatorily sterilizing the implement before using it again, in such a way that new insertion or locking of the disposable implement into or to the endoscope must entail problems.

[0033] If this principle also should be visually observable, then zones may be provided in the disposable implement which besides undergoing a change in dimensions also shall undergo for instance a change in color. Moreover the deformation of the disposable implement might be so substantial—for instance in the form of kinking, sharp swelling etc.—that it shall be clear very soon to the surgeon (that is before an attempt is made to repeat insertion into the endoscope) that the attempt is made to reuse a disposable implement. 

1. A disposable implement for insertion into an endoscope and comprising at least one zone geometrically matching or being adapted to the endoscope, characterized in that the geometrically matched/adapted zone (17, 24) is designed to become permanently deformed subsequently to a first use in the endoscope (10, 20,) and before renewed use in this endoscope (10, 20,) on account of mechanical, thermal and/or chemical treatment, in such manner that the geometric matching is permanently eliminated.
 2. Disposable implement as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the deformation results in a clearly visible change in the geometrically matched/adapted zone (13, 24).
 3. Disposable implement as claimed in either of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the deformation of the geometrically matched zone (24) is carried out by thermal treatment.
 4. Disposable implement as claimed in either of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the deformation of the geometrically matched/adapted zone (13) takes place while the disposable implement (12) is being removed from the endoscope (10).
 5. Disposable implement as claimed in one of claims 1 through 4, characterized in that furthermore even after deformation of the geometrically matched zone, basic implement functions are preserved in a manner safe for the patient. 